CAREGIVER
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Care Planning |
One-On-One Counseling |
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Care Planning with Wyoming Dementia Care’s compassionate staff is the process of seeking solutions together and can be accessed immediately. With an office located conveniently within Central Wyoming Senior Services, caregivers can come in to seek support in the form of planning and reviewing the plans already in place. A wide variety of literature is on hand to connect caregivers with the resources needed. The family care planning process includes compassionate encouragement as well as the provision of tools to handle difficult situations, communication among family members and many other concerns from the initial diagnosis to end-of-life. Specifically, Wyoming Dementia Care’s staff educates caregivers to enhance communication with physicians, to advocate for loved ones while navigating the sometimes complicated healthcare options as well as learning strategies to keep loved ones safe at home. The importance of self-care including how to recognize caregiver burnout and taking responsibility for meeting one’s own needs remain a very high priority during the care planning process. Education concerning palliative care, honoring a loved one’s end of life wishes, learning when to introduce the services of Hospice, and preserving the dignity and personhood of dementia patients are all topics covered initially in care planning and subsequently reinforced and revisited throughout the trajectory of the disease through case management and support groups.
Free Respite CareRespite care provides the break that caregivers need to practice self-care and attend to their own needs away from the duties of caring for a loved one with a dementia diagnosis. Breaking down a common barrier to ensure that caregivers can attend support groups Wyoming Dementia Care partners with an established companion care agency to provide free on-site respite care at each support group. The companion care staff provide supervised activities that engage clients with dementia in meaningful and enjoyable ways. Caregivers can relax, taking a much needed break knowing their loved ones are safe and well cared for during the support group.
Wyoming Dementia offers a limited respite voucher program for those who wish to utilize in-home respite care services from some of these same companion care providers they have come to know and trust during the support groups. Vouchers also cover the drop-in respite programs offered within the community. Professional CaregiversWyoming Dementia Care offers dementia care training for the staff at long-term care facilities, other healthcare agencies and organizations with community volunteers. The training emphasizes disease education, disease management and techniques to be implemented into daily practice. Professional caregivers experience similar caregiver compassion fatigue and physical stress and benefit from our professional training and support services. Please contact the Wyoming Dementia Care staff to inquire about training opportunities.
Outreach in the CommunityWyoming Dementia Care offers annual Memory Screenings in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. We also provide dementia education and caregiver support to community organizations, faith based community groups and local businesses who wish to offer this service to their employees. Please see our calendar during Alzheimer's Awareness month in November for planned screening dates and other scheduled outreach opportunities and events. Contact Wyoming Dementia Care staff to schedule a presentation or training for your group.
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Through a collaborative partnership with Central Wyoming Counseling Center, Wyoming Dementia Care provides limited free counseling sessions for caregivers. Counseling in the one-on-one setting with a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in geriatric mental health provides caregivers with a level of expert guidance as they face the difficult decisions and emotions associated with their loved one’s dementia.
Support GroupsSupport groups are facilitated by Wyoming Dementia Care staff in conjunction with a licensed clinical social worker five times every month. Support groups meet for roughly one hour in an informal setting. Experienced caregivers offer valuable insight to new caregivers. The overwhelmed find connections with and learn strategies from those who have experienced the progression of dementia in their own loved ones for some time. Groups provide a safe place to grieve the ambiguous loss that is happening over time with other Casper community members from all walks of life. Caregivers respect one another’s privacy and confidentiality remains a priority among attendees and facilitators. Support groups are open to all caregivers, and Wyoming Dementia Care encourages caregivers to come to as many support group meetings as needed, for as long as support is needed.
Support Group Meetings
1st & 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Central Wyoming Senior Services, 1831 E. 4th St, Casper 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Plaza Assisted Living, 4154 Talon Dr, Casper Forget Us Nots Support Group
This new support group for and led by those living with early-stage dementia. Our facilitators Kelli Miller and Linda Brewster create and lead safe space to those recently diagnosed to discuss, process and share experiences related to their diagnosis. and create opportunities for dialogue and education for strategies to achieve quality of life. Every Thursday from 2-3pm via Zoom
Here and Now: A Dementia Focused Art ClassCaregivers and persons living with dementia both benefit from social and creative outlets. Wyoming Dementia Care partners with the Nicolaysen Art Museum to offer monthly recreational art classes where caregivers and their care partners enjoy making art together in an informal setting. No experience necessary. The class meets from 1-3pm and spaces are limited. Please call for reservations.
307-265-4678 ext. 106 3nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. Nicolaysen Art Museum, 400 E Collins Dr, Casper Music TherapyMusic Therapy is an established health profession where music is used to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of patients. Musical experiences are success-oriented and tend to be hands-on. After initially assessing the strengths and needs of each client, our music therapists provide the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. In partnership with Vibes Fine & Performing Arts, our music therapists receive specialized training in music and its application to clinical settings from accredited universities.
HOW CAN MUSIC THERAPY HELP ME AND MY LOVED ONES? • Improves communication for patients finding difficulty with expression through words • Provides emotional and social support for clients and families • Reduces anxiety, pain, and stress • Creates positive changes in mood and emotional states • Encourages active and positive participant involvement in treatment • Implements enhanced feelings of control, confidence, and empowerment • Lends to positive physiological changes, such as lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and relaxed muscle tension |
It's not how much you do but how
much love you put in the doing.
-Mother Theresa
Location2546 E. 2nd Street #600
Casper, WY 82609 |
Contact Us
Wyoming Dementia Care is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping the families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related illnesses. Our services to caregivers and families are free and can begin at the first indication of dementing behavior.
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